Bernie Bashes Billionaires in Big Apple, Challenges Dem Establishment

↑ A clip from Sanders’ Late Show appearance.

After taking on billionaires and corporate power brokers at a New York City fundraiser and then again during a well-received taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Friday evening, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders turned his attention toward the liberal establishment on Saturday, telling a rowdy crowd at the New Hampshire Democratic National Convention that the time has come for a political movement that’s not beholden to Wall Street or special interests.

But before Sanders took the stage, according to news reports and posts on social media, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was interrupted several times during her speech with cries of “more debates!”

Sanders supporters have been among those saying that six primary season debates won’t be enough to introduce lesser known candidates to voters.

In their most direct confrontation of the DNC over the debate issue thus far, supporters of Democratic candidates Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders threatened to drown out Wasserman Schultz at times with chants and jeers during her remarks to the 3,500 activists gathered Saturday inside the cavernous Verizon Wireless Arena.

Wasserman Schultz had to shout over the chants as she moved through her prepared remarks attacking Republicans. Hundreds of activists held up signs calling for more debates, and organizers re-started the chants numerous times after each round died down.

Sanders, who is leading in several NH polls, spoke following Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley as well as other state-level Dems. “Well, it certainly sounds like some people are ready for a political revolution,” he told the cheering crowd.

He continued scorning billionaires and political financiers, saying: “I don’t want their money, I don’t want a super PAC, we’re gonna do it on our own.”

Then, in a speech that called for reinstating Glass-Steagall to rein in big banks and Medicare for all, Sanders challenged the Democratic Party to generate excitement and momentum in order to increase voter turnout for the 2016 elections.

“We need a political movement in this country that takes on the political and corporate establishment,” he said. “Not one that is part of it.”